How do medical x-rays work?

Medical X-rays work by using high-energy electromagnetic radiation to penetrate the body and create images of internal structures. When X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed at varying degrees by different tissues; denser tissues, like bones, absorb more X-rays and appear white on the film or digital image, while softer tissues, like muscles and organs, appear darker. A specialized detector captures the X-rays that exit the body, translating them into a visual representation for medical analysis. This process helps doctors diagnose fractures, infections, tumors, and other conditions.